Corporate Bylaws of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel - 2013 Edition
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Corporate Bylaws
of the
International Church of
the Foursquare Gospel
________________________________________________________________________
2013 Edition2013 Edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BYLAWS ................................................................................ 3
Article I Name and Seal ........................................................ 3
Article II Offices .................................................................... 3
Article III Definitions .............................................................. 3
Article IV Members ................................................................. 5
Article V Meetings of Members ............................................. 6
Article VI Board of Directors .................................................. 9
Article VII Executive Officers .................................................. 13
Article VIII General Officers ..................................................... 18
Article IX Assets and Finances ................................................ 21
Article X Special Ministries ................................................... 23
Article XI Foursquare Cabinet and Executive Council ........... 24
Article XII Ministers of the Foursquare Gospel
and the Foursquare Association.............................. 30
Article XIII Foursquare Gospel and Foursquare Association
Churches ................................................................. 33
Article XIV Pastors of Foursquare Association Churches ........ 39
Article XV Chartering of Foursquare Gospel Churches .......... 43
Article XVI Operating Charter and Covenant Member
Foursquare Gospel Churches .................................. 43
Article XVII Administration of Charter and Covenant Member
Church Property...................................................... 49
Article XVIII Foursquare Churches in Other Countries .............. 53
Article XIX Amendments ........................................................... 53
Appendix: Minister’s Code of Ethics ....................................... 55BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 3
BYLAWS OF THE
INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF THE FOURSQUARE GOSPEL
A Religious Corporation
These amended and restated bylaws (sometimes referred to hereafter as “these Bylaws”) are adopted by
the board of directors and members of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, a religious
corporation, this 30th day of May, 2013 to carry out the specific and primary purposes of this corporation
as set forth in its articles of incorporation (sometimes referred to hereafter as “the Articles”), which are
to maintain and operate a religious corporation and to propagate and disseminate the religious principles
embraced in the Foursquare Gospel. These principles are set forth in the “Declaration of Faith,”
compiled by Aimee Semple McPherson, founder, a copy of which is attached to these Bylaws and made
a part hereof.
ARTICLE I
Name and Seal
The name of this corporation shall be the INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF THE FOURSQUARE GOSPEL. The
corporate seal shall consist of two concentric circles between which shall be the name of the corporation
and in the center of which shall appear “Incorporated 1927, California.”
ARTICLE II
Offices
The principal office of the corporation shall be located at 1910 West Sunset Boulevard, Suite #200, Los
Angeles, California 90026. The corporation may also maintain offices at other places within or without
the bounds of the United States.
ARTICLE III
Definitions
3.1 INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF THE FOURSQUARE GOSPEL: A religious body
incorporated as the formal organization of the Foursquare movement.
3.2 FOURSQUARE MOVEMENT: Persons who have voluntarily joined together under the
authority of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel to propagate and disseminate the
religious principles embraced in the Foursquare Gospel as set forth in the “Declaration of Faith,”
compiled by Aimee Semple McPherson, founder.
3.3 FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH: Any local body of believers in the United States, which is
established and operated in accordance with these Bylaws and accepted by board action. A
Foursquare Gospel church may be either a Charter Member Foursquare Gospel church or a
Covenant Member Foursquare Gospel church. Foursquare Gospel churches are not separate legal
entities. They are subsidiary units of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Each
Foursquare Gospel church is organized and operated to carry out the ecclesiastical and
evangelistic endeavors of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
3.4 FOURSQUARE CONVENTION: An official gathering of the members called together by the
president or board of directors to fellowship, to rejoice in what the Lord has done, to receive
fresh anointing for the task ahead, and to conduct pending business. By the refining and the
perpetuation of these Bylaws, the convention body gives direction to the Foursquare movement.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 4
3.5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The official body of the International Church of the Foursquare
Gospel (sometimes referred to hereafter as “the board”) to oversee the carrying out of the objects
and purposes and direction stated in the Articles and these Bylaws. These directors are
collectively referred to as the board. The board shall consist of not less than twelve and not more
than twenty members.
3.6 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: A body of leaders from the Foursquare movement with the
responsibility of advising on items to be placed on the agenda for meetings of the members of
the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. This group acts in an advisory capacity to the
president and the board of directors on all other matters brought before it by the board of
directors.
3.7 FOURSQUARE CABINET: An advisory body to the board, herein referred to as the cabinet, on
matters concerning the Foursquare movement.
3.8 FOURSQUARE ASSOCIATION: A network of Christian ministers and churches which are in
fellowship to exalt Jesus Christ and to propagate and disseminate the religious principles
embraced in the Foursquare Gospel as proclaimed by Aimee Semple McPherson (sometimes
referred to hereafter as ‘the Association’). The Association is in no way designed or intended to
function as an unincorporated association or to be a separate legal or jural entity. The
Association shall have no bylaws or separate governing board and shall hold no assets. Members
of the Association may not hold themselves out as agents for one another or of the International
Church of the Foursquare Gospel on the basis of membership in the Association. The Foursquare
Association is not an agency of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
A. Association ‘Charter Member Church’: A church previously established and chartered
by International Church of the Foursquare Gospel as a local Foursquare Gospel church or
a church not previously established by International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
which elects to become a local Foursquare Gospel Church having no legal existence,
articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizing documents apart from those of the
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and which has transferred title to all of its
real property into the name of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel with no
possibility of reversion unless specifically agreed to by the board.
B. Association ‘Covenant Member Church’:
1. “Pioneer Church”: A local church begun and established by the International
Church of the Foursquare Gospel which has not acquired real property other than
leased property and has not yet been granted Charter Member status pursuant to
these Bylaws; and
2. A previously independent church which in electing to become a Foursquare
Gospel church does not transfer title to its real property into the name of the
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, but which otherwise elects to be
governed by the articles and bylaws of the International Church of the Foursquare
Gospel with no other legal structure or existence apart from International Church
of the Foursquare Gospel. The corporation holding title to the real property must
be a corporation with federally recognized tax exempt status whose nonprofit
purpose is unequivocally related to the propagation of the Christian faith and
message.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 5
C. Association ‘Community Member Church’: A local church which is a separate legal
entity governed by its own organizational documents and structure that elects to affiliate
with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and other churches of the
Foursquare Association on a relational basis of shared principles, endeavors, goals and
purpose. Community Member churches are and shall remain completely autonomous and
independent legal entities. International Church of the Foursquare Gospel shall have no
control over the governance or management of the Community Member churches.
Community Member churches select, hire, and license and/or ordain their own ministers
and other personnel and employees. International Church of the Foursquare Gospel shall
have no control or say in the day-to-day decisions of the Community Member churches.
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and its members, directors, officers and
agents shall not be held liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of Community
Member churches. The relationship between a Community Member church and the
Association is at-will and may be discontinued by the local church or International
Church of the Foursquare Gospel with or without cause.
D. Foursquare Association Church: Refers to a church which is a member of the
Association. The term “Foursquare Association church” is inclusive of churches which
are subsidiary units of International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and governed by its
articles and bylaws (Foursquare Gospel Charter and Covenant Member churches), and
other churches which are associated with International Church of the Foursquare
Gospel’s Association as separate legal entities not governed or controlled by and not
subsidiary units of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (Community
Member churches).
3.9 CHURCH COUNCIL: The church council of a Foursquare Gospel church, consists of the pastor
and four to twelve persons elected or ratified from the church membership except where by
written approval of the district supervisor the number of persons has been increased or
decreased. The church council shares the stewardship of the financial assets and property of a
Foursquare Gospel church with the senior pastor.
ARTICLE IV
Members
4.1 MEMBERS. The members of this corporation are
A. The officers and directors of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
B. Licensed ministers of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel holding active
status under provisions of these Bylaws.
C. Members in good standing of Charter and Covenant Member churches established,
organized, or otherwise accepted, and operating under these Bylaws.
4.2 TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. Membership in this corporation shall automatically
terminate when a member ceases, for any reason, to satisfy the requirements of this article IV.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 6
ARTICLE V
Meetings of Members
5.1 CONVENTIONS
A. Regular. At least once every two calendar years the president, with the approval of the
board, shall cause to be called, preferably between March 1 and August 31, a meeting of
this corporation’s members. The meeting shall be known as a regular convention.
B. Interim. In case of necessity, the board, by a two-thirds vote of all its members, may call
a special meeting of this corporation’s members that shall be designated as an interim
convention.
5.2 NOTICES OF CONVENTIONS. A written notice of each regular or interim convention shall be
sent to each Charter Member and Covenant Member Foursquare Gospel church located in the
United States of America, which shall post the notice in order to inform the membership of the
convention. Notice of a regular convention shall be given at least six months prior to its
designated date of commencement. Notice of an interim convention shall be given at least thirty
days prior to its designated date of commencement. Notice of an interim convention shall state
the purpose thereof.
The board may extend a written invitation to attend convention to each member of the
Foursquare Association and each Community Member church of the Association whose
membership in the Foursquare Association is current and in good standing.
5.3 CONDUCT OF REGULAR CONVENTIONS
A. Chairperson. The president of the corporation or the president’s designee shall preside at
all regular conventions. In the absence of the president and the president’s designee, the
following persons, in order of succession, shall preside: a vice president or a member of
the corporation’s board elected to serve as chairperson of the convention by a majority
vote of all members of the board.
B. Reports. At each regular convention, official business reports shall be received from the
following: president, treasurer, general supervisor, director of missions, committees
whose reports require corporate action, and individuals giving reports approved by the
cabinet for presentation at the convention.
C. Other Business. In addition to the required reports, the following matters shall be placed
before the convention:
1. Opportunity for Foursquare ministers and voting delegates to express opinions,
questions and concerns to the board.
2. Items placed on the agenda by the board and items not previously submitted to the
executive council, provided the delayed voting requirements set forth in bylaw
article V, section 5.3 D are satisfied. All matters not previously submitted to the
executive council, if recommended by the convention, shall be referred to the
board for committee review or other appropriate action.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 7
3. The approval of members reappointed by the board to fill appointed seats on the
board and the approval of other non-voting participants appointed to the board.
4. The vote for ratification of appointments of the president for a second term of
office when required by the cabinet, pursuant to article VII, section 7.1.2.A.5 of
these Bylaws.
5. If timely, the approval of a person to fill the office of the president. The
candidates shall be submitted by the cabinet.
6. Proposed amendments to this corporation’s articles of incorporation and bylaws.
D. Delayed Voting. Any proposed amendment to the corporation’s articles of incorporation
or bylaws, any proposal not previously presented to the executive council, or any
proposal that requires provision for or the expenditure of funds not included in the
corporation’s current annual budget shall not be voted upon until the day following the
day upon which it is introduced on the floor during a business session of the regular
convention. Only when the delay of one day would be deemed harmful to the corporation
may the deferral be waived by a two-thirds vote of the authorized voters present at the
time of the vote.
5.4 CONDUCT OF INTERIM CONVENTIONS. The president or the officer or other person
selected to serve as the chairperson (selected in the manner provided for regular conventions)
shall preside at interim conventions. The only matters to be considered at an interim convention
shall be those designated in the notice of the interim convention.
5.5 MEMBERS ENTITLED TO VOTE ON CONVENTION BUSINESS. The members of this
corporation who shall have full voting power on all matters considered at regular and interim
conventions are those members who are registered for the convention and who belong to at least
one of the following categories:
A. Officers and directors of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
B. Licensed ministers of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel holding active
status under the provision of these Bylaws and whose credential fees are paid current at
the time the convention convenes or when an absentee ballot is requested. A minister
whose credential fees are not current at the time the convention convenes or when an
absentee ballot is requested will not be privileged to vote.
C. Delegates from Charter and Covenant Member Foursquare Gospel churches: one delegate
for each fifty members or fraction thereof from each Charter and Covenant Foursquare
Gospel church located in the United States of America.
5.6 NONVOTING ATTENDEES. At the discretion of the board, all nonvoting attendees who are
registered at any regular or interim convention may be admitted to any corporate business
session.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 8
5.7 CONVENTION VOTING PROCEDURES
A. Registration. To be entitled to vote, members shall register to be in attendance at
convention or, in an election year, register to cast a ballot for president by absentee ballot.
Registered voting members shall display valid voting delegate credentials, and shall be
entitled to one vote on each item presented. There shall not be voting by proxy at any
convention.
B. Quorum. A majority of registered voting members in attendance at a convention shall
constitute a quorum at a convention. At conventions where a vote for president shall be
conducted, the number of members who registered to cast an absentee ballot for president
shall be included in the determination of whether the convention has attained a quorum.
The voting members present at a convention at which a quorum has been established may
continue to transact business until final adjournment of the convention at its originally
scheduled termination date. If the withdrawal of voting members leaves less than a
quorum, any action (other than amending the bylaws or articles of incorporation) may be
approved by at least a majority of the voting members present at the time of the vote.
C. Voting. Where voting is required by these Bylaws to approve the selection of persons to
serve as directors, officers, and members of national cabinets and councils, such voting
shall be by written ballot or, if authorized by the board pursuant to these bylaws, by
electronic ballot capable of being saved, retrieved and printed. Voting on other matters
shall be conducted in the manner determined by the chairperson. The secretary of the
corporation shall cause all votes to be counted and shall report the results to the
convention body. A ballot which is illegible, does not indicate a selection, or by write-in
indicates a person not nominated by the cabinet, shall not be counted as a “vote cast.” All
ballots shall be retained for not less than thirty days. As long as quorum requirements
have been met, resolutions receiving a majority vote shall be declared as passed. In order
to be approved, candidates must receive a majority of the votes cast for the positions for
which they have been selected.
5.8 VOTING BY MAIL
A. Special Action. In the event an action taken by the board requires the approval of this
corporation’s voting members, and if in the opinion of the board it would be impractical
to wait for a regular convention or to call an interim convention, the board, by two-thirds
majority vote, may submit the resolution by mail to the corporation’s voting members for
approval. The resolution shall be mailed to each voting member not less than thirty days
prior to the last date authorized for its return to the corporation. The resolution shall be
accompanied by a form of ballot upon which there shall be a place to indicate a “yes” or
“no” vote and a place for the signature and title of the voter. The notice to qualified
voters shall state the date on or before which the ballots must be received by the
corporation in order to be counted.
B. Voter Eligibility. As long as they continue to meet the requirements applicable to voting
members, all voting members shall remain such for the purpose of voting by mail, as
herein provided, from the date of registration at a regular convention until thirty days
prior to the date set for the next regular or interim convention.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 9
C. Vote Counting. All ballots returned within the allotted time for voting shall be counted
by the secretary or by the secretary’s authorized representative(s). The results shall be
reported by the secretary at the next meeting of the board and recorded in the board’s
minutes. The results shall be published, and the ballots received by the corporation shall
be kept until the adjournment of the next regular convention.
5.9 ABSENTEE VOTING FOR PRESIDENT. The board may authorize and direct the corporate
secretary to implement procedures to allow and facilitate absentee voting for the office of
president by the members described in Bylaw sections 5.5.A. and B.
A. Vote by Mail. To vote by mail, an eligible member must register for convention and
request an absentee ballot, and return the ballot within time limits communicated by the
corporate secretary. All ballots returned within the allotted time for voting shall be
counted by an independent accounting firm selected by the corporate secretary and vote
tabulation results reported to the corporate secretary at the same time the tally of ballots
cast on-site at convention are reported. The number of ballots cast by mail shall be
reported by the secretary to the convention and recorded in the convention’s minutes. The
results of the election shall be published, and the ballots received by the corporation shall
be kept until the adjournment of the next regular convention.
B. Electronic Voting. The corporate secretary may implement and publicize procedures to
allow and facilitate absentee voting electronically. To vote electronically, an eligible
member must register for convention and request to vote for president electronically, and
electronically transmit their ballot within the time limits communicated by the corporate
secretary. All ballots transmitted electronically within the allotted time for voting shall
be counted by an independent accounting firm selected by the corporate secretary and
vote tabulation results reported to the corporate secretary. The number of ballots cast
electronically shall be reported by the secretary at the convention and recorded in the
convention’s minutes. Ballots transmitted electronically must be capable of being saved,
retrieved and printed. The results of the election shall be published, and the ballots
received by the corporation shall be kept until the adjournment of the next regular
convention.
ARTICLE VI
Board of Directors
6.1 POWERS AND DUTIES. Subject to the Articles, these Bylaws, and applicable law, the
corporate activities of the corporation shall be conducted and all corporate powers shall be
employed by or under the direction of the board. The board is responsible for discipline as well
as general corporate management. The board may delegate the management of various activities
to any person or persons provided that the activities and affairs of the corporation shall be
managed and corporate powers shall be exercised under the direction of the board. No director,
officer, minister, member, church council, Foursquare Association church, employee of the
foregoing, or employee of any other entity within this corporation is empowered to act as a legal
agent of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel without the prior written
authorization of the board, except for acts expressly authorized in these Bylaws. In addition to
the other powers enumerated in these Bylaws, the board shall have the following powers:
A. To call conventions.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 10
B. To license and ordain ministers in accordance with the Articles and these Bylaws.
However, the granting of ministerial credentials shall not confer any agency authority to
act on behalf of this corporation.
C. To appoint the corporation’s officers, both general and executive (excluding its president,
who shall be selected in the manner provided in these Bylaws); missionaries; councils;
committees; and chairpersons thereof. The board may seek input from any segment or
area of the Foursquare movement concerning its plans or the selection of personnel to fill
its offices.
D. To create offices, departments, and districts as needed to accomplish the corporation’s
objectives and purposes, and to direct their activities.
E. To employ persons as needed to accomplish the corporation’s objects and purposes,
taking into account the broad constituency of the Foursquare movement.
F. To fix salaries and other compensation of the corporation’s officers and other employees
who are to receive salaries or other compensation for their services.
G. To terminate from office or employment any officer (excluding the president, who may
be terminated only upon the recommendation of the cabinet in the manner provided for in
these Bylaws) or other corporate employee if, in the opinion of a majority of the board,
such termination would be in the best interests of this corporation.
H. To override a presidential veto by a two-thirds majority vote of all board members.
I. To make financial arrangements to carry out the purposes of this corporation and to
authorize the execution by the proper corporate officers of securities or evidences of
indebtedness or other documents as required.
J. To buy, sell, exchange, encumber, and generally deal in real properties, improved or
unimproved.
K. To acquire and operate Bible colleges or auxiliary endeavors. The board may adopt
bylaws governing such operations. The board may establish a separate board of trustees
for each college.
L. The board, through the executive department or other subsidiary corporations of the
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, shall be responsible for but not limited to
overseeing the operations of the following:
1. Foursquare insurance
2. Foursquare loan fund
3. Foursquare Foundation
4. Foursquare income properties proximate to the central office
M. To do and perform other acts and things required of it by these Bylaws and/or applicable
law, with all powers necessary therefore.
6.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The number of directors shall be not less than twelve and not more
than twenty-five. The board shall fix the exact authorized number of directors from time to time,BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 11
within the limits specified within this section.
6.3 COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD. The board shall be composed of the following officers,
selected directors, and appointed directors, each of whom shall at all times be a member in good
standing of a local Charter Member or Covenant Member Foursquare Gospel church.
A. Officers: The following corporate officers shall be members of the board: the president
and the vice presidents who oversee national church operations, global church operations,
and corporate administrative operations of the International Church of the Foursquare
Gospel.
B. Selected Directors. A representative shall be selected from each district to serve a five-
year term and until his or her successor is duly selected.
Nominees to serve as a director from the district shall be selected from among the
ministers of the district. Each nominee shall be a currently licensed and ordained minister
in good standing and shall be under appointment to a local Charter Member or Covenant
Member Foursquare Gospel church in the district that the minister will represent.
The selection of district representative nominees shall be conducted as follows: (1)
ministers of the district who hold current ordination or U.S. Foursquare license shall
recommend to the district supervisor the names of qualified ministers. (2) The district
supervisor and the district council shall select three nominees from among those
recommended by the ministers of the district. Selections shall be based upon criteria
provided by the board. The district supervisor shall transmit the names of the nominees to
the corporate secretary.
The ministers who will serve as the directors from the districts shall be selected from
among the nominees previously selected from districts by an election conducted by the
corporate secretary. The ministers in the district who hold current ordination or U.S.
Foursquare license shall vote by mail, according to instructions from the corporate
secretary to select from among the nominees the ministers to serve as the representative
directors. An independent accounting firm that has been selected by the corporation’s
secretary shall oversee the tallying of the ballots. Voting procedures shall be established
and supervised by the secretary, who shall certify the results to the board.
A selected director’s term shall commence on September 1, or as soon thereafter as the
selection has been certified by the corporation’s secretary, and shall continue through
August 31 of the fifth year thereafter. No director may be elected to serve consecutive
terms of office. No director shall concurrently serve as a selected or appointed member of
the cabinet.
When a director becomes ineligible to serve on the board of directors because of a
geographical move from the district that elected the director, the director shall be deemed
to have resigned. The effective date of resignation may be delayed by the board, in its
discretion, to allow completion of the resigning director’s current term, so long as the
resignation is effective within one year of the date of the director’s relocation from the
district that elected the director.
Should the seat of a selected director become vacant before the expiration of that
director’s term, the board shall appoint one of the final nominees previously selected byBYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 12
the ministers of the district to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
C. Appointed Directors. Members in good standing of a local Foursquare church may be
appointed as directors by the board (not to exceed the maximum number of directors) for
a term of five years. Reappointment of appointed directors shall be subject to approval by
a majority of votes cast at a regular convention occurring prior to the expiration of the
appointed director’s initial or subsequent term as a director. The cabinet shall ratify, by
majority vote, directors appointed to the board. No person who fails to be ratified may
continue to serve as an appointed director. Failure to be ratified shall not negate any prior
vote cast by an appointed director. An appointed director’s term shall commence on
September 1 and shall continue through August 31 of the fifth year thereafter, provided
the appointment was ratified as required. Appointments shall not cause the total number
of employees of the corporate headquarters on the board to exceed five.
D. Staggered Term Limits. The board shall coordinate the ending of the terms of its
various members, excluding the president, such that no more than one third of the board
shall have terms ending in any given calendar year.
E. Non-voting Participants.
1. Designated Subsidiaries. The board shall assign a permanent seat at its meetings
and conference calls as non-voting participants to representatives of the
corporation’s subsidiaries: Foursquare Foundation and Foursquare Financial
Solutions. In the absence of other designation by the board, the representative
shall be the chairperson of the subsidiary’s board of directors. The board of the
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel may designate from time to time
other subsidiaries to be represented at its meetings.
2. Other Non-voting Participants. The board may invite persons or appoint
persons of specific expertise or insight to serve as non-voting participants in board
deliberations. The term of service shall not exceed one year, but the term(s) may
be renewed if the board so chooses to a maximum of five consecutive terms.
6.4 RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES. All directors shall enjoy the same rights and privileges, including
the power to vote on all matters presented to the board; however, a director may not vote on any
matter in which there may be a conflict of interest. All non-voting participants may participate
fully in board deliberations, except for the right to propose a motion, second a motion or vote.
6.5 VACANCIES. Any director, excepting the last remaining director, may resign, effective upon
giving written notice to the president, the secretary, or the board unless the notice specifies a
later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. If the resignation is to be effective at a future
time, a successor may be selected or appointed in the manner provided in these Bylaws to take
office when the resignation becomes effective. Vacancies among the appointed members of the
board may be filled by approval of the remaining members of the board. Each director so chosen
shall hold office until the expiration of the term of the replaced director and until a successor has
been chosen. A vacancy or vacancies in the board shall be deemed to exist in case of the death,
resignation, or removal of any director, or if the authorized number of directors be increased. No
reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director
prior to the expiration of the director’s term of office.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 13
6.6 REMOVAL. If the board determines that a director, other than the president, is failing to
function in the best interests of this corporation, the board shall have the power to remove the
director by a two-thirds vote of the board.
6.7 PLACE OF MEETING. Regular or special meetings of the board shall be held at any place
within or without the bounds of the State of California, which may be designated from time to
time by the board. In the absence of such designation, regular meetings shall be held at the
principal office of the corporation.
6.8 REGULAR MEETINGS. The board shall determine the schedule of regular meetings and shall
be responsible to inform each director of the time and place of each meeting.
6.9 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the board for any purpose or purposes may be
called at any time by the chairperson or by a majority of the board. Special meetings of the board
shall be held upon four days’ notice by first-class mail or 48 hours’ notice delivered personally
or by telephone or electronic means.
6.10 QUORUM. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum of the board for
the transaction of business. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors
present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the
board, unless a greater number be required by law or by the Articles or these Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII
Executive Officers
All executive officers shall be chosen from among ordained Foursquare ministers who are in full
compliance with the Articles and these Bylaws and who have demonstrated spiritual leadership and
ability to perform the duties of the offices to which they are appointed. They shall be appointed by and
serve at the pleasure of the president and the board, except for the president who shall be selected in
accordance with these Bylaws. The executive officers of this corporation shall be the president, vice
presidents, secretary, assistant secretary, and treasurer. The board may appoint additional executive
officers and may combine executive offices with general offices.
7.1 THE PRESIDENT
7.1.1 Powers and Duties
A. The president is the spiritual leader and corporate executive officer of the Foursquare
movement and has appointive powers, subject to these Bylaws and the approval of the
board. The president shall be responsible for general supervision and direction of the
corporation. The president has the general powers and duties usually vested in the office
of the president of a corporation, including the power to veto any act of the board, subject
to the provisions of article VI, section 6.1.H of these Bylaws. The president shall be
responsible for recommending to the board the appointment of personnel to fill executive
offices as needed. The president shall perform such other duties and have such other
powers as may be prescribed by the board.
B. The president or the president’s designee shall preside at all conventions.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 14
C. As the leader of the Foursquare movement, the president shall strive for the salvation of
souls; encourage the worship of God; uplift our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; honor the
ministry of the Holy Spirit; work to strengthen the body of believers; and promote every
effort to fulfill the command of Jesus to preach the Word to all people.
D. The president shall supervise the worldwide work of the International Church of the
Foursquare Gospel.
E. The president’s name shall be affixed to all corporate ministerial credentials, certificates,
church charters, and pastoral appointments.
F. Upon resolution of the board, the president shall sign all documents upon which the
signature of the president is required.
G. The president shall be responsible for the preparation of the corporation’s annual budget,
which shall be submitted to the board for consideration and approval at a date set by the
board. No unbudgeted funds shall be expended without the prior approval of the board.
H. The president shall oversee the corporation’s compliance with laws, rules, and
regulations applicable to this corporation, including the signing and filing of reports for
federal, state, and local governments.
I. The president shall be an ex officio member of all committees.
7.1.2 Procedures for Selecting the President.
A. Upon the president’s death or other inability to fulfill the term of office, the board shall
select one of its own voting members to act as interim president until the next ensuing
convention or interim convention has been convened and a new president has been
elected and installed.
1. When it becomes necessary to elect a new president, the cabinet shall select two
or three nominees for the office of president from among the ordained ministers
of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel according to procedures set
forth in these Bylaws.
Each nominee shall have (a) demonstrated faithfulness to Foursquare mission,
doctrine, and polity as set forth in the Articles, these Bylaws, and the “Declaration
of Faith”; (b) a proven ability to understand, appreciate, and lead within the
Foursquare movement; (c) a reputation as a person of maturity, integrity, and
good moral character; (d) a proven pastoral heart, Foursquare missions vision,
evangelistic fervor, and servant leadership; and (e) a record of long-term and
proven ministry, and shall have exemplified those core values that have
characterized the spirit of the Foursquare family. Names of the nominees so
nominated shall be made known to each Charter Member and Covenant Member
Foursquare Gospel church located in the United States of America and to the
members described in Bylaw sections 5.5 A. and B. at least 45 days prior to
convention. Names of the nominees so nominated shall be presented to the
members authorized to vote at the convention or by absentee ballot for written or
electronic balloting. Ballots shall be counted by an independent accounting firm
selected by the corporate secretary and vote tabulation results reported to theBYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 15
corporate secretary. If a second ballot is required to select from among three
nominees, the nominee receiving the least number of votes on the initial ballot
shall not appear on the second ballot. A ballot which is illegible, does not indicate
a selection, or by write-in indicates a person not nominated by the cabinet, or not
received within the allotted time, shall not be counted as a “vote cast.” The
corporate secretary shall inform the candidates of the result of the vote privately,
before it is announced publicly. The public announcement shall not include the
number of votes received. Election results shall be announced to the convention
body in the first evening service of the convention after the results are known.
2. On the first full day of convention a business session shall be convened for the
express purpose of electing a president from among the candidates nominated by
the cabinet. The cabinet’s nominees for the office of president shall be presented
to the convention body. The board shall have discretion to vary from time to time
the format for presenting the nominees to the convention provided that in each
election the nominees have an opportunity to address the convention and the
voters in attendance at the convention have opportunity to pose questions to the
nominees regarding any topic relevant to doctrine, practice, the Foursquare
movement or the office of president. However, nominees shall not be questioned
about personal matters since such matters were already reviewed in the cabinet’s
nominating deliberations.
3. When the presentation and interview of the nominees has been completed, the
names of the nominees so nominated shall be presented to the authorized voters at
the convention or registered as absentee voters for written or electronic balloting.
Ballots shall be counted by an independent accounting firm selected by the
corporate secretary and vote tabulation results reported to the corporate secretary.
If a second ballot is required to select from among three nominees, the nominee
receiving the least number of votes on the initial ballot shall not appear on the
second ballot. A ballot which is illegible, does not indicate a selection, or by
write-in indicates a person not nominated by the cabinet, or not received within
the allotted time, shall not be counted as a “vote cast.” The corporate secretary
shall inform the candidates of the result of the vote privately, before it is
announced publicly. The public announcement shall not include the number of
votes received. Election results shall be announced to the convention body in the
first evening service of the convention after the results are known.
4. The nominee receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be deemed president-
elect. An oath of office shall be administered to the president-elect on the last
evening of convention. The president-elect shall take office as president on the
first day of the fourth month following the close of the convention. The term of
president shall be for the ensuing five years and until a successor shall be duly
elected and qualified.
5. In the event that the president, in the year before the final year of the president’s
term of office, gives advance written notice to the cabinet before it meets of his or
her willingness to be considered for a second term of office, the cabinet may
choose to recommend to the convention that it ratify the president for a second
term of office at the following convention by written ratification ballot. The
cabinet may or may not choose to recommend to the convention that it ratify theBYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 16
president for a second term of office at the following convention by written
ratification ballot. A recommendation by the cabinet to the convention that the
president be ratified for a second term requires a two-thirds approval vote of the
cabinet. The president shall be ratified for a second term of office by vote of
seventy-five percent (75%) of the votes cast at convention including authorized
absentee votes cast. If the president is ratified for a second term in the final year
of the president’s first term, no presidential selection process will be conducted.
6. In the event that the president becomes unable or unavailable to fulfill the term of
office, the voters in attendance at the next regular convention or authorized to cast
an absentee ballot, shall elect, from the candidates nominated by the cabinet for
this purpose in the manner provided in this bylaw, a president-elect to take office
on the earlier of the dates set forth in the notice of unavailability, the date of
expiration of the current president’s term, or upon the occurrence of the current
president’s permanent inability or death. If the necessary nominee selection
process cannot be reasonably completed by the next regular convention, the board
may delay the convention vote to an interim convention or to the following
regular convention thereafter, or the board may appoint one of its own members,
with ratification at the next regular convention, to serve as interim president until
the following regular convention and until a president-elect takes office.
B. No person may serve more than two consecutive terms of office as president. Upon
leaving office, the outgoing president may be appointed by the board to another place of
service in the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
The board shall determine compensation protocols to guide, inform, and assist the
transition of a president leaving office.
C. In case of the death, resignation, retirement, or removal of the president, and as long as a
president-elect has not taken office, the board shall select one of its voting members to
serve as interim president; this person shall serve until the next president is selected in the
manner herein set forth and approved. The board shall make its selection of interim
president using a process substantially similar to the process stated in article XI, section
11.1.3 (“Selection of Presidential Candidates”): A special meeting of the board will be
called to begin the selection process. Prior to the meeting the directors will review the
bylaws and prepare spiritually. At the meeting nominations for the person to serve as
interim president will be received. Thereafter a review committee will be formed to
review the qualifications of the nominees and interview them. Nominees are excluded
from serving on the review committee. At a subsequent board meeting the review
committee will present its recommendations and the board will vote to select an interim
president. Nominees shall recues themselves from deliberations and from voting. The
person receiving the most votes shall be designated as the interim president. The board
will endeavor to complete this process as expeditiously as possible.
The person chosen to serve as interim president may not be considered as a candidate for
selection of the next president unless approved as a candidate by three-fourth’s approval
of the Cabinet in its selection process.
D. If, during a president’s term of office, the board decides that a president is failing to
function in the best interests of this corporation, the board shall have the power to call aBYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 17
meeting of the cabinet to seek a satisfactory solution. The cabinet, by majority vote, shall
recommend action to the board, which may include removing the president from office. If
the board, on the recommendation of the cabinet, votes to remove the person holding the
office of president from that office, the procedures set forth herein shall be followed in
order to select a new president.
7.2 OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The offices of vice presidents, secretary, assistant secretary, and
treasurer shall be filled by appointment of the board. These officers shall serve at the pleasure of
the board and until their respective successors are duly appointed and installed. The installation
of a new officer shall terminate the appointment of the previous officeholder, who shall deliver
all books, papers, electronic data, and documents to the successor so installed.
7.2.1 Vice Presidents. In the temporary absence or disability of the president, the board shall
designate a vice president to perform all the duties of the president as president pro tempore and
when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the
president. The vice president designated as president pro tempore shall have such other powers
and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the board. In other
respects, a vice president shall have such duties as may be assigned to him or her by the
president and/or the board.
7.2.2 Secretary. The secretary shall
A. Perform the usual and ordinary duties of secretary of a religious corporation.
B. Attest to the signatures of corporate officers when necessary.
C. Maintain accurate minutes of all conventions and board meetings.
D. Register the qualified voters, as defined in these Bylaws, at each convention.
E. Tally and report the results of the written votes at each convention.
F. Maintain custody and care of the corporate seal, minutes, records, books, documents, and
communications; give oversight to the procedures for storage, preservation, and retrieval
of all corporate records, minutes, books, documents and communications, except the
books of account which are required to be kept in the treasurer’s custody.
G. Receive and preserve all reports rendered to the corporation by its officers and committee
chairpersons for the period of time established by the board.
H. Perform other duties not inconsistent with the office which the president or board may
require.
I. Maintain records of all ordained or licensed personnel.
7.2.3 Assistant Secretary. The assistant secretary shall perform the duties of secretary in the absence
or disability of the secretary and shall assist the secretary as requested.
7.2.4 Treasurer. The treasurer shallBYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 18
A. Keep and maintain or cause to be kept and maintained adequate and correct accounts of
the financial transactions of the corporation.
B. Deposit all moneys and other valuables of the corporation in the name and to the credit of
the corporation with such depositories as may be designated by the board.
C. Disburse the funds of the corporation as directed by the board.
D. Render each year a report of the corporation’s financial operations and condition as of
December 31of the prior year.
E. Prepare monthly reports of the corporate financial operations for the president and board.
F. Report to the board, as requested, transactions performed as treasurer.
G. Be bonded with a surety company, if deemed advantageous by the board.
ARTICLE VIII
General Officers
All general officers shall be chosen from among ordained Foursquare ministers who are in full compliance
with the Articles and these Bylaws and who have demonstrated spiritual leadership and ability to perform
the duties of the offices to which they are appointed. They shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure
of the president and the board.
8.1 GENERAL SUPERVISOR
8.1.1 Selection. The person selected as the general supervisor shall have a record of long-term
commitment and service to the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
8.1.2 Powers and Duties. The general supervisor shall
A. Supervise the activities of the national church of the International Church of the
Foursquare Gospel in all 50 states of the United States.
B. Recommend personnel to the board for appointment to the office of district supervisor.
C. Be in direct charge of the activities of all district supervisors and shall be devoted to the
health and growth of Charter Member and Covenant Member Foursquare Gospel
churches throughout the districts in furtherance of the objectives and purposes of the
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. In the event any office of district
supervisor becomes vacant, the general supervisor shall assume the responsibilities of
such office until the board appoints a replacement.
D. Keep the board informed of conditions throughout the churches.
E. Be responsible for the national church office and its ministries.
F. Be responsible for resolving problems concerning churches or ministers that might
adversely affect this corporation. The general supervisor shall inform the president and
the board of all problems that could have an adverse effect on the corporation.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 19
G. As directed by the president, oversee the compliance of the Foursquare Gospel Churches
in the United States with laws, rules, and regulations applicable to this corporation.
H. Provide the district supervisors with operational guidelines for the district offices and the
divisional superintendents.
8.2 DISTRICT SUPERVISORS
8.2.1 Selection. District supervisors shall be chosen for their interest in the expansion of the
Foursquare movement. They shall be accountable to the president and general supervisor,
serving five-year terms over their districts as designated by the board. The general supervisor
shall review annually the performances of the district supervisors; biennially the general
supervisor’s review shall include evaluations by the senior pastors of the supervisors’ respective
districts.
Reappointment of a district supervisor by the board shall be subject to the recommendation of
the general supervisor. Removal of a district supervisor shall be pursuant to bylaw article VIII,
section 8.2.3.
8.2.2 Powers and Duties. The district supervisors shall
A. Devote themselves to the strengthening and multiplication of Charter Member and
Covenant Member Foursquare Gospel churches within their respective districts in
accordance with the Articles and these Bylaws. Their duties shall include but are not
limited to the following:
1. Providing and promoting continuing leadership development opportunities for
Foursquare ministers
2. Fostering relationships and accountability among Foursquare ministers
3. Encouraging the effectiveness and spiritual health of local churches and ministers
4. Promoting church starts and church growth
5. Strategically investing budgeted funds to achieve church starts and growth
6. Recommending minister personnel to the board for pastoral appointments
7. Assisting the board in resolving church or minister related crises and disputes
8. Assisting the board in administrative functions
9. Assuring sound doctrine and practice in Foursquare Gospel churches
10. Encourage local church support of Foursquare Missions International
11. Make local churches aware of district camping programs
B. Maintain district offices at locations approved by the board.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 20
C. Visit the Charter Member and Covenant Member Foursquare Gospel churches within
their respective districts.
D. Divide their districts into divisions and from each division select a minister residing
therein to be the divisional superintendent; supply the divisional superintendents with
operational guidelines as provided by the general supervisor.
E. Appoint such other representatives as needed to carry out specific district assignments.
F. Receive from ministers or churches at a district level the fees and assessments that have
been previously authorized by the board.
G. Refer to the general supervisor any matter that may create an actual or potential conflict
of interest or the appearance thereof. The general supervisor shall act as the district
supervisor of any church whose pastor is serving as a district supervisor.
8.2.3 Removal. In the event that a district supervisor is not functioning in the best interests of the
corporation or the district, the general supervisor, with the concurrence of the president and with
majority approval of the board, shall have power to remove the supervisor and appoint a
replacement.
8.2.4 District Council. Each district supervisor shall appoint an advisory committee of no less than
five persons to serve as a district council. Appointees shall include any board member residing in
the district, and the district’s selected four year term cabinet representative. Other appointees
may be lay persons, retired ministers, licensed ministers of Charter Member or Covenant
Member Foursquare Gospel churches of the district and superintendents of the district who are
not employed by a district office. District council members may be removed by the district
supervisor with concurrence of the general supervisor. The district supervisor shall cause
minutes of the meetings of the district council to be maintained and copied to the general
supervisor. The district council shall meet no less than quarterly to
A. Pray for and minister to the district supervisor.
B. Review district finances.
C. Review district programs and plans.
D. Assist the district supervisor to select nominees to offer to the ministers of the district for
vote as members of the board and cabinet from the district pursuant to article VI, section
6.3.B. and article XI, section 11.1.1.B.
E. Assist the district supervisor to fill vacancies, as needed, to the board and cabinet from
the district pursuant to article VI, section 6.3.B. and article XI, section 11.1.1.B.
F. Assist the board, the general supervisor, and the district supervisor in resolving church-
or minister-related crises and disputes, including matters of ethics, pastoral and church
council removals, and church closures.BYLAWS OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2013 - 21
8.3 DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENTS
8.3.1 Selection. Divisional superintendents shall be appointed for one year from among the ministers
ministering in that district. Appointments by the district supervisor of divisional superintendents
shall be subject to approval by the general supervisor and confirmation by the board.
8.3.2 Powers and Duties. The divisional superintendents
A. Shall be members of the executive council.
B. Shall participate in district functions and shall be responsible to the district supervisor to
carry out district programs at the divisional level and such other assignments as specified
by the district supervisor.
C. May be appointed to the district council of their district unless they are district
employees.
8.3.3 Removal. In the event it appears that a divisional superintendent is not functioning in the best
interest of the district or the division, the district supervisor, with the concurrence of the general
supervisor, shall have the power to remove the superintendent and to appoint a replacement.
8.4 DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS
8.4.1 Selection. The director of missions shall be chosen for his or her missionary vision from among
the missionaries or missions-minded ministers of the International Church of the Foursquare
Gospel.
8.4.2 Powers and Duties. The director of missions shall
A. Have general supervision of all missionary activities and personnel. The director of
missions shall carry out the board’s instructions in all mission activities.
B. Be devoted to the building up of the missionary fields in accordance with the Articles and
these Bylaws. The director of missions shall present the needs of the missionary fields
and make recommendations to the board. The director of missions shall assist in the
preparation of the missionary budget and in its presentation to the board for approval or
revision, assist in raising the budgeted funds, and oversee the disbursement of authorized
funds. The director of missions shall be responsible for the use of funds approved by the
board. The director of missions shall communicate the activities, objectives and needs of
the missionary fields to local Foursquare churches in the United States.
ARTICLE IX
Assets and Finances
9.1 ASSETS.
A. Corporate property: All property shall be held in the name of the International Church
of the Foursquare Gospel, except as otherwise expressly authorized by the board, and at
all times shall be used to carry out the purposes for which this corporation has been
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